Witkoff heads to Russia for Putin talks after Zelenskyy meeting
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy insisted that any peace negotiations must include Kyiv. The meeting also resulted in the release of American retiree Stephen Hubbard, a move praised by Vice President JD Vance.
Why it matters
This diplomatic engagement signals a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy regarding the Ukraine-Russia conflict and highlights ongoing tensions over the inclusion of Ukraine in its own peace process.
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "humanitarian" on Wednesday, at talks in St. Petersburg about ending the war in Ukraine.
In a video posted to social media, Witkoff thanked Putin for describing President Donald Trump as a "humanitarian" and added: "You are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that, I commend you, and I thank you again."
The talks began a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy insisted that any negotiations over his country's future must include Kyiv.
Speaking alongside the leaders of Finland and Norway in Oslo late Tuesday, Zelenskyy said discussions with U.S. officials had been constructive and that Washington had reaffirmed its commitment to providing Ukraine with security guarantees.
But he stressed that any agreement concerning Ukraine's future would be acceptable only if Kyiv had a seat at the negotiating table.
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US Envoy Meets Vladimir Putin in Russia as Stephen Hubbard Goes Free
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